"BOTH in space and time, we seem to
be brought somewhat near to that great fact -that mystery of mysteries-
the first appearance of new beings on this earth."

That is how English naturalist Charles
Darwin described the Galapagos Islands in his H.M.S. Beagle logbook entry
for 8 October 1835. Darwin spent five weeks on the islands observing endemic
species such as tortoises, fish and iguanas.

Although several months have passed since
the Jessica oil spill, follow-up work continues. Scientists from the Charles
Darwin Research Station (CDRS), continue to monitor sites to discover which
areas the fuel affected. Of the 650 sites throughout the Galapagos Islands
that were selected for sampling, only the sites in Santa Cruz and Santa
Fe remain to be checked. In the next two weeks five staff members of the
area of Vertebrate Ecology and Monitoring will visit these sites in a motor
launch and carefully search for any traces of fuel.

As you know, this past January 16th,
the Galapagos Islands suffered an important ecological impact as a result
of the grounding of the M/T Jessica and consequentially its fuel spillage
in the waters surrounding the archipelago.

The area of Vertebrate Ecology and Monitoring,
Charles Darwin Research Station, continues to take samples at sensitive
sites along the Galapagos coastlines in order to establish the distribution
and quantity of the fuel that has arrived on land. 650 sites throughout
the Galapagos Islands south of Marchena Island were selected for sampling.
Last week all of the selected sites on Floreana Island were covered. The
team found that the bunker fuel has affected the northeast corner of Floreana.
Several marine iguanas were oiled.

On Thursday February 15, personnel from
the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in San Cristobal reported that
more fuel had started leaking from the Jessica in the morning. The fuel
was actually washing up onto the shore. Fortunately it was only a small
amount 2,000 or 3,000 gallons, but it was an ominous reminder of what may
have happened if the currents had been flowing in the other direction when
the first spill occurred.

In the aftermath of the January 16
fuel spill off the coast of Ecuador, scientists are still trying to determine
potential long-term effects of the accident on the ecologically sensitive
Galapagos Islands, home to a variety of unique plant and animal species.

While the immediate damage appears to
have been successfully contained by emergency response crews from Ecuador
and the United States, conservationists warn that the fuel spill's full
impact "might not be known for years," according to a press release
issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) …

The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS)
continues to coordinate the clean up, monitoring and wildlife rescue operations
throughout the archipelago. The latest GNPS press release gives information
on their activities.

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS)
has supported GNPS efforts, particularly through monitoring. Results of
the various trips underway continue to come in and the impacts so far have
been minimal.

January 16, Galapagos Islands. The
tanker Jessica ran aground just offshore of San Cristobal Island. By January
20, it had begun leaking its cargo of 170,000 gallons of diesel fuel and
60,000 gallons of intermediate fuel oil. At the request of the Ecuador
government, the National Ocean Service sent a spill response team to assist.
NOS will provide environmental protection and cleanup recommendations.
A NOS Scientific Support Coordinator arrived on San Cristobal in the USCG
C-130 aircraft on January 21. He was joined by a second NOAA Scientific
Support Coordinator on January 24.

The grounded ship, "Jessica",
is still firmly lodged on the sandbank by San Cristóbal Island in Galapagos,
where she ran aground on 16th January. She has resisted the salvage efforts
of the Ecuadorian Navy and of the team of U.S.

The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS)
continues to coordinate the clean up, monitoring and wildlife rescue operations
throughout the archipelago. The latest GNPS press release gives information
on their activities.

Today work with the wrecked tanker continued
on San Cristobal. The team of national and international technicians
is trying to decide what to do with the ship.

The Galapagos National Park patrol launch
Sirenian remains in Floreana where recovery of bunker fuel continues. Today,
Tuesday 30, two more marine iguanas were found covered in oil. They
received adequate treatment and were then set free. Another Audubon
shearwater (marine bird) died.

The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS)
continues to coordinate the clean up, monitoring and wildlife rescue operations
throughout the archipelago. The GNPS press release gives the latest information
on their activities.

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS)
continues to support the GNPS efforts. Today a team of CDRS scientists
left Santa Cruz in the tour boat "Flamingo" for a detailed inspection
of the southern shore of Isabela over the next three days.

Coast Guard Strike Team activities today
are centered on assisting the Ecuadorian Navy right the vessel JESSICA.
The vessel is currently listing 60 degrees to starboard. Two
anchors have been set to stabilize the vessel and a cable will be attached
to the vessel from shore. Two tug boats are standing by to assist
with righting the vessel.

Heavy surf conditions continue to hamper
the salvage operation. If the Ecuadorian Navy is successful in righting
the vessel, a diver will survey the hull.